An Adviser's Top Three
Suggestions

Attend each class and, if possible, sit towards center
front
so that you can hear, see and interact with the instructor.

Read class material before class. It's easier to take notes
when you are familiar with the material.

Use a consistent method for taking notes. The Cornell
method
described in below is a very popular, effective method.
Review and
add to your notes as soon after class as possible.

Help on Campus

If you are having difficulty taking notes in an instructor's class,
talk to that professor and ask for assistance especially with what s/he
considers significant. Some instructors will also make their notes and
class slides available on the web.
Observe the note-taking systems of successful students and try out some
methods that might work for you. Also, ask your academic adviser for
assistance.

Help on the Web

There are a number of great study
skills tips on
this Virginia Tech Study Skills site. For help with note taking look at the menu on the left-hand side of the webpage and select any of the
entries for Note Taking help such as Note Taking – The Cornell System, Editing Lecture Notes, and Note Taking and In-Class Skills.

A very thorough discussion of note-taking that reviews what you should
do before the lecture, during the lecture and after the lecture. You will find the information for "A system for Effective Listening and Notetaking" halfway down the web page.

This is a great site from the
Dartmouth
Academic Skills Center. This site empasizes the importance of active
listening as a part of your note-taking. There are links to handouts as
well as a link to a short video on note-taking.